The City Colleges of Chicago Foundation recognizes the many achievements and contributions of women who continuously contribute to City Colleges. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we were so pleased to sit down with City Colleges of Chicago Foundation board member Norma Manjarrez.

Norma, tell us about your involvement with City Colleges of Chicago Foundation. How did you get involved and what continues to motivate you to support the Foundation’s goals?
I am a board member of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation, and in this role, I aim to advance the organization’s efforts to support community college students from all backgrounds in reaching their academic and career goals. I am committed to supporting organizations that elevate diverse youth within under-resourced communities. It is my way of paying it forward.

Tell us about your journey as a woman in your respective field. What does that look like for you? How do you overcome barriers and find inspiration to continue while balancing your personal and well-being?
My journey as a woman in the legal industry has been shaped by my identity as a first-generation Mexican-American college/postgraduate. I have been undermined, assumed to have been admitted to graduate school at the bottom of the curve and as part of a diversity initiative. I have been criticized and challenged for having an “accent” after simply pronouncing my name in Spanish. I have been assumed to be the court reporter in a case I was defending as an attorney.

My experience, unfortunately, is not unique.

The reality is that the Latinx population is highly under-represented in the legal industry. Although the Latinx population is the largest ethnic minority group, there is still a significant gap between our representation as an ethnic minority group and our representation within the legal industry. In fact, the law student population in 2019 was 12.7% Latinx and in 2020, only 5.64% of associate attorneys were Latinx, 2.8% of partners were Latinx and only .9 (less than 1%) of partners were Latinx women.

For some (maybe many) of us, the fear of being the first (or the only one) is overwhelming and sometimes paralyzing. Building and fostering relations of mentorship and sponsorship have allowed me to successfully maneuver through those new, sometimes unwelcoming, spaces. And in those moments of trepidation, I borrow from the Honorable Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor,

“Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t give up because you are paralyzed by insecurity or overwhelmed by the odds, because in giving up, you give up hope. Understand that failure is a process in life, that only in trying can you enrich yourself and have the possibility of moving forward. The greatest obstacle in life is fear and giving up because of it.”

Is there a specific woman or a woman in history that you find inspiring? What was inspiring about her and what did you learn from that person?
My mother. She has always been a go-getter. I am constantly reminded and motivated by my mother’s tireless efforts toward the advancement of herself and our family. She does not settle. As a new mom, I am profoundly motivated by my mother (mi madre).

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s history month to me means celebrating my Latinidad and the many contributions Latinas have made and continue to make to our society while also recognizing that we have a lot of work to reach equality. Women’s history month is a reminder to collaborate and support other women, to understand the uniqueness of their struggles, and unify our efforts toward the advancement of all women.

What advice can you give to other women during Women’s History Month?
In those moments of trepidation, as the Honorable Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, has said

“Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t give up because you are paralyzed by insecurity or overwhelmed by the odds, because in giving up, you give up hope. Understand that failure is a process in life, that only in trying can you enrich yourself and have the possibility of moving forward. The greatest obstacle in life is fear and giving up because of it.”